100 trees donated by Bancroft and Area Stewardship Council in name of local climate activist

Brynn Kilpatrick (centre) went to Bancroft's Community Development committee meeting Tuesday to formally announce the donation (Photo credit: Kendra Kilpatrick)

“My grandchildren and great-grandchildren will have a better future because of what we’re doing now,” local climate activist Brynn Kilpatrick says after collaborating with the Bancroft and Area Stewardship Council to donate 100 trees to the community.

50 trees will be donated to Bancroft council, with the other half going to the Hastings-Prince Edward District School Board.

It’s happening thanks to a personal donation from Chair of the Bancroft Area Stewardship Council Ian Hendry. “I see their group out there every weekend, rain or shine,” he says. “They’re trying to make a difference for climate change.” Hendry explains that planting trees are one of the best ways to mitigate climate change.

“It feels really good,” Kilpatrick says of the donation. She adds that knowing Hendry personally made the donation makes her smile because she knows she’s helping make a difference. “Trees take a while to grow, so once they’re fully grown they will be able to replace the ones that died,” Kilpatrick adds.

March of this year will be the one year anniversary of her first “Fridays for Future” climate strike. Kilpatrick says she hopes to continue the momentum that Gretta Thunberg started and spread awareness about climate change and do her best to help mitigate it. The climate strikes happening every Friday starting at 11:30 AM in front of Bancroft’s municipal office.

Other than the strikes, Kilpatrick has her hand in another recently started initiative – “Bags for Brynn.” It was started by Cheyenne Amos, who is one of the many that join Kilpatrick during the weekly climate protests. She explains it’s a way to help get rid of plastic bags at grocery stores. You can buy a single 12 by 12 or 14 by 14 produce bag for $5, or buy three for $25. The package comes with a 9 by 12 bag along with one that’s 12 by 12 and 15 by 12. You can buy a bag, or multiple, through the initiative’s Facebook page.